Ending months of mystery and speculation, Town Councilwoman Martha Jankovic-Mark threw her hat into the ring Tuesday night to challenge Incumbent First Selectman Tim Herbst.
Both parties nominated their slates at the same time Tuesday night.
"I and my family love Trumbull and are thankful for the opportunity that it provides us," Mark said. "I believe that Trumbull can have a bright future."
Mark, a former republican who switched parties to democrat in 2011, and Herbst are both attorneys. For about the past year, the two have have had heated exchanges at Town Council meetings.
Mark was elected to the council in 2005 as a republican and Herbst was elected first selectman in 2009. It will be his third two-year term if he wins. Before 2009, Herbst served on the Planning and Zoning Commission, including as its chairman.
"I am blessed each and every day to lead the best town in America," Herbst said.
The democrats met at the Long Hill Administration building of the Board of Education and the republicans nominated their candidates at the Tashua Knolls Restaurant.
Mark said she would restore fiscal transparency and civility to town government, accusing Herbst of pursuing vendettas, increasing town-side spending and bonding expenses that should be in the operating budget.
She asked Herbst to release his expense account spending, such as telephone calls, before Aug. 15 or else she would seek it through the state's Freedom of Information Act.
Herbst said Tuesday night that he would comply.
Herbst countered that under his administration the town has received accolades for its schools and as a town in general, adding that democrats have been critical of his administration but have not put out any positive ideas recently.
More details of their remarks, in addition to the slates, will be reported in separate stories.
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